VIDEO FOR YOU: McCarthy faces headwinds to be House Speaker
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:
The Associated Press is offering video of the following Republican Congress members commenting on Kevin McCarthy's bid to become House speaker. Use it on your broadcasts, websites, social media platforms and elsewhere:
VIRGINIA: Rep. Bob Good
SOUTH CAROLINA: Rep. Ralph Norman
FLORIDA: Rep. Byron Donalds
TEXAS: Rep. Dan Crenshaw
OKLAHOMA: Rep. Tom Cole
___
GET THE VIDEO:
Kevin McCarthy faces headwinds to be House Speaker
___
FIND AP’S LATEST COVERAGE:
McCarthy promises ‘battle’ to be speaker as Congress opens
EXPLAINER: How the House of Representatives elects a speaker
___
PUBLISH THIS:
House Republicans teetered on the brink of chaos Tuesday, the opening day of the new Congress, with GOP leader Kevin McCarthy pledging a “battle on the floor” if needed to overcome right-flank colleagues who are refusing to give him their votes to become House speaker.
Even before Congress convened at noon, the scene playing out on Capitol Hill was one of upheaval and uncertainty. The standoff means McCarthy, after having led his party to a narrow Republican majority, was grasping for his political survival, trying to avoid being the first majority nominee for speaker in 100 years to fail to win an initial vote for the gavel.
McCarthy emerged from a contentious closed-door meeting with fellow House Republicans unable to win over detractors and lacking the support needed to become speaker. He vowed to fight to the finish - even if it takes multiple tries in a public spectacle that would underscore divisions in his party and weaken its leadership in the first days of the new Congress.
“We may have a battle on the floor, but the battle is for the conference and the country,” McCarthy said at the Capitol.
A core group of conservatives led by the Freedom Caucus and aligned with former President Donald Trump’s MAGA agenda was furious, calling the private meeting a “beatdown” by McCarthy allies and remaining steadfast in their opposition to the California lawmaker.
___
Video For You is an occasional feature produced by The Associated Press for its customers’ use. Questions can be directed to Katie Oyan at koyan@ap.org.